Carbon Judge Postpones Hearing On Competency

May 08, 1985|The Morning Call

A competency hearing for a Lehighton man charged in an assault last summer was delayed yesterday when Carbon County Court Judge John P. Lavelle said he wanted to hear testimony from psychiatrists who examined the man.

Kenneth Meinhart, 28, of 284 Harvard Ave., Palmerton, currently in the county prison, was charged with aggravated and simple assault and making terroristic threats in connection with the July 7 beating of Robert Tracy of Lehighton.

Lehighton police said the incident took place along the railroad tracksin a wooded area near the Lehigh River at the southeast end of the borough.

Meinhart was declared incompetent to stand trial on Jan. 24 by Lavelle, who ordered that he be sent to Farview State Hospital in Wayne County. He was admitted on Jan. 30 and returned to the county prison on March 26.

Defense attorney George Dydynsky said reports from a psychiatrist, who examined Meinhart while he was in the state hospital, and a report last month by a commonwealth psychiatrist, indicate Meinhart is not competent to stand trial.

He told the court that there are times when Meinhart appears to comprehend what is going on and times when he does not, and that medication plays a large role in his understanding.

Dydynsky said he is "not satisfied" that Meinhart understands the processes and intricacies of a trial.

When Meinhart was questioned by Lavelle, he indicated that he understood the charges against him.

The judge said that he wanted more evidence and direct testimony from doctors before deciding on Meinhart's competency. He said he would try to schedule the case within a few weeks.